Beautiful old boat on Gumtree...

skodster

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Came across this open sailing yacht on Gumtree. I am a sucker for these types of boat. I think that they are amongst the most beautiful ever created.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/fin-keel-sailing-yacht-boat-29ft/112432749

Does anyone know what it is? I am tempted even though it's wood and represent's a life sentence of scraping and varnishing! In my mind's eye, I see it as completely varnished wood. :D
 
Neils Jeppersen 1937.....

and no, spend £2.5k on one that works.

They are over £80k to latest Petticrow spec, and top flight are all dry sailed with new sails by first class post.
Plenty of usable sails about then....
 
Hard to tell from those pictures whether it's scruffy after a season of neglect or has serious problems.
Could be worth a look, the spars and trailer would cost a fair chunk of the asking price.
They are beautiful boats when they are sailing.
 
Hard to tell from those pictures whether it's scruffy after a season of neglect or has serious problems.
Could be worth a look, the spars and trailer would cost a fair chunk of the asking price.
They are beautiful boats when they are sailing.

This is a typical occasion where this forum needs a network of (local) members willing to go and have a quick look.

Even without surveying skills or qualifications you just have to ask yourself 'would I proceed?' and let the interested other forum member know (all without prejudice, of course).

The interested party could ask the viewer to have a common sense look at specifics - in this case is the planking all there?, are the frames cracked, is the deck springy?

Of course, additional photographs could also be taken and mailed to the interested party.

I know that everybody is different and has different standards and requirements but I ask myself if I would travel to Donaghadee to view based on those photos? No.

So, I could lose a potential bargain.

Alternatively, I could waste time and money in travel and be faced with an absolute dog.

I have offered this before, for boats on the Algarve - but no take up. I have, however, looked at three boats for a friend who is abroad. All were not worth the effort of him travelling. Right now, I have an interest in a boat - 1,400 miles away. I have to decide if it is worth the effort to travel to view and, it is 50/50 at the moment.
 
And if you do go and see her you could pop into Pier 36 in Donaghadee where there will be a fire roaring at this time of year!
 
If i were a bit closer i would go and have a look for you but its a round trip of maybe 130 miles :o

If i need to go up that direction (perhaps to have my sails laundered/repaired) i will try and get a look and a poke and some more pics.

Don't get your hopes up though!
 
Gorgeous - if you can work on them yourself, or want to learn, it's definitely worth a look. If you can't, buy one that has already been done - good luck, keep us posted :)
 
no it isnt.
she needs a fortune spending on her by the look of it

That's a relative term and I'm not sure how you can tell that it needs a fortune spent from the photo's shown! If you have the woodworking skills, then anything is feasible.

and no, spend £2.5k on one that works.

A decent 'ready for the water' boat will cost you around £5-6k plus. Whilst I stand to be corrected, I'm not sure that you could buy anything 'ready for the water' and competitive for £2.5k? If the fabric of this boat is OK, £4k would fit her out quite nicely.

If anyone want's me to go over and take a look and some more photo's, I am happy to do so provided you are serious about a purchase and not just tyre kicking etc. My experience is GRP but I do know a bit of rotting mahogany from past disasters! :eek:
 
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That's a relative term and I'm not sure how you can tell that it needs a fortune spent from the photo's shown! If you have the woodworking skills, then anything is feasible.



A decent 'ready for the water' boat will cost you around £5-6k plus. Whilst I stand to be corrected, I'm not sure that you could buy anything 'ready for the water' and competitive for £2.5k? If the fabric of this boat is OK, £4k would fit her out quite nicely.

If anyone want's me to go over and take a look and some more photo's, I am happy to do so provided you are serious about a purchase and not just tyre kicking etc. My experience is GRP but I do know a bit of rotting mahogany from past disasters! :eek:


I didn't mention competitive.... you would have to spend a cartload of money to get competitive. Those crews are red hot. I was a member at Royal Corinthian, the home of Dragons.

All of the competitive ones are dry sailed, last time I looked that was around 150 quid a week.

Wooden hulls before 1972 are now non-class as they were no longer able to keep up with GRP hulled boats.

Read about Grandfathering here....

http://www.britishdragons.org/racing-dragons/classic-dragons.aspx
 
She doesnt look too bad if they are recent photos and she has had a good cover to keep the rain out.
there used to be a realy good fleet at Bangor and royal north (close to donaghadee) and some of the owners spent a fortune on upgrading the older boats (I sailed on one in the early 90's which had over 20K spent on her), if she is one of these then would be a good buy BUT ONLY IF YOU WANT TO SAIL HER AS A DRAGON and there is no Dragon sailing left around NI apart from the odd travelling event.
 
If I was local I would be looking if the wood is still sound it just represents allot of work..

Paint varnish etc. If wood has soft spots I would be very carefull..

If serious at that price take cash make offer...
 
DANGER! Wooden boats can mean a hell of a lot of work
there is a lot to be said for fibreglass...more time to actually sail
don't ask me how i know!
 
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